Oberstar Less Stringent on Earmarks

The bar has been moved higher by another Democratic chairman, he said. The most infamous earmark of all came from this committee, and they arent going to be completely transparent.

The Appropriations Committee has proven Members can do it  nobody died, Ellis said.

The scandals that were uncovered as a result of the earmarks placed into the $244.1 billion Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users in 2005 will live far beyond its expiration in September.

Two earmarks from that bill  Alaskas Bridge to Nowhere and the Coconut Road earmark inserted into the bill after the legislation had passed  have become ultimate earmark cautionary tales and talking points for lawmakers rallying against excessive spending.

More than 6,000 projects were included in SAFETEA-LU, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense.

Ellis said SAFETEA-LU was a smorgasbord of road projects that are very hard to track and understand, and extra efforts at keeping the current bill as clear as possible would be common-sense good government.